Reaction conditions: (a) (i)
2-aminophenol or 2-amino-4-methylphenol, O2, TEMPO, toluene,
reflux overnight, 23–81%; (ii) TFA/DCM, room temperature, 3
h, 66–77%; (b) (i) tert-butyl piperazinecarboxylate/t-BuOK, Pd2(dba)3 (5% mmol), BINAP
(15% mmol), toluene, reflux, 12 h, 60%; (ii) TFA/DCM, 25 °C,
3 h, 85%; (c) RCHO/HCOOH (2 equiv), anhydrous DMF, 100 °C, 3
h, 6–44%.